Injury puts Snowsill out

THE Mooloolaba Triathlon's highly touted entry list took a big hit yesterday when Olympic champion Emma Snowsill was forced to withdraw from the event just days out from the ITU World Cup series opener.

The 29-year-old, who has been based in Noosa this week, vented her frustration after a minor heel injury cruelled her chance to race against Beijing bronze medallist Emma Moffatt and world under-23 title-holder Emma Jackson.

“It's really a precautionary measure not to compete this weekend,” she said. “Although I'm eager to race again, I have to resist the temptation and think of the bigger picture.

“I made the decision not to race with my coach and physio, to give my ankle the best chance to completely heal.

“I'm really disappointed not to be competing but will still be involved in the weekend with a lot of activities.”

Snowsill had been getting treatment in the past week and was advised not to run in training, in an attempt to get it right before Mooloolaba. The injury has not affected her swimming or cycling.

Snowsill withdrew following discussions with Triathlon Australia and AIS head coach Shaun Stephens, who admitted she could be “underdone” for the opening round of the ITU World Championship in Sydney on April 10

Stephens said, however, triathletes trod a fine line with injury and it was best for Snowsill to err on the side of caution.

“I saw Emma last week and she complained of a minor heel complaint and Triathlon Australia is certainly fully supportive of her decision to withdraw from Mooloolaba,” he said. “Triathlon is a very demanding sport these days and when you have Olympic selection on top of everything else, you can't afford to take any chances.

“We are encouraging all of our athletes to get on top of all these niggles early and not to exacerbate any of their injuries, so they are ready to race throughout the world championship series.

“Although it is disappointing and is an important race on the Australian calendar, she doesn't want to do anything that could impact on Olympic selection.

“It is quite a minor injury – the kind of thing that can be aggravated by running up hills, and Mooloolaba is quite a demanding course and at this stage we don't want to flare it up.

“I don't see it being a major impact in terms of her championship season.”

“The only thing is that she will go into Sydney without having a race under her belt – she'll be a little underdone.

“But in saying that it might also be a good thing because it is going to a long, tough year and it is important that Emma is ready to perform when it counts.”

The women's race will be contested on Sunday and the men's race on Saturday.

The field will include world title-holder Javier Gomez, Noosa triathlon icon Courtney Atkinson and defending champion Brad Kahlefeldt.